Steve from Outer Space

Here in Sandy Point, we always have cause to celebrate our star-filled night sky. Sometimes we have an extra special reason to look up in awe. Sometimes, when space conditions and earthly conditions are both right, we are treated to a view of the Aurora Australis. You can read more about these local sightings at the following link, or by accessing the website menu, as shown above. sandypoint.vic.au/dark-sky

Our limited street lighting puts us in an enviable position to enjoy the celestial show. Our nocturnal wildlife are also grateful for it. The Sandy Point Community Group (SPCG) attempts to advocate to preserve our Dark Sky, while balancing the need for safety around the town.

Recently there has been another rare and special night sighting. The photograph below was taken by John Adshead in Sandy Point at 10pm on the night of March 22. We believe, as do many on social media, that it is showing an occurrence of Steve.

Photo credit: John Adshead

‘Steve’ is an atmospheric phenomenon that looks like a streak of purple/red and white light. While it is always associated with an aurora display, occurring at the equatorward edge, it is not always present with one. An aurora displays as an oval or donut shape around the planet, but Steve displays as a ribbon, lasting between 20 minutes to a few hours.

Steve is not a comet, it is a fast-moving stream of extremely hot particles called a subauroral ion drift, or SAID. The European Space Agency says this is “associated with extremely hot, narrow, and rapid plasma flow channels”. https://eo4society.esa.int/

Unlike comets which are often named after people, the name for “Steve” came from popular culture. It was named by citizen scientists as a reference to a children’s animated movie called “Over the Hedge” in which the animals encounter a mysterious giant hedge and decide to call it Steve. At some later point scientists decided to give it a more scientific name, keeping STEVE as an acronym for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement.

Let’s just stick with calling it ‘Steve’ shall we?.

Please join us to support our advocacy for minimal and appropriate public lighting, and opposition to light pollution in Sandy Point. If you're not already a member of the Sandy Point Community Group, go to sandypoint.vic.au/membership to select either individual or family membership. A minimal annual membership fee ensures that we can continue to fight for the Sandy Point we all love.

By the editor, [email protected]